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As you explicitly mentioned it: why do you not include a German version? It sounds like there will be a German version but you are not allowed(?) to sell it.
high rated
Repost of the explanation below, although I didn't find the place where it was posted first somewhere on this board, and I haven't even got the name of the original poster. Anyone to help me out here?

I work at Deadalic, in business development.

Please let me explain the situation with the German language before we get nailed to the wall ).

When Daedalic started the production of The Night of the Rabbit, the company needed to bring in external money in order to be able to fund the development. The reason being that Daedalic as a business is still not a company that's rich enough to be fully independent. Yes, as much as we like to be, we simply aren't. Our games get good ratings and some of them sell really well (the Deponia series), but this is still not enough to say "let's do a new $500.000 game" and just start the production on our own.

The external money in this industry can come from three sources: (1) a loan against company assets - not possible in our case, as we don't own much; (2) an investment form a third party - not possible in our case, as Daedalic is still chaotically independent, meaning loads of creativity, nice people and smiles in the hallways, but no "organizational chart" or "cahsflow plan" or "company prospectus" - we simple don't speak that language (yet); we will, one day, but not when we started the development of TNotR and not even now; and finally, (3) a pre-sales of the product we want to develop to a distributor, against future sales - and this is what we've done with The Night of the Rabbit, pre-selling it to the German distributor.

This pre-sale allowed us to develop the game and we're very thankful to the company that trusted in us so much that they were willing to advance money based on our concept, more than a year away from the completion date. However, no lunch is free in this world, and there was a catch in this case just as well: under the contract, we pre-sold both the retail and the digital rights. Meaning, we can't make a decision on our own as to how, and where, and at what price to offer German version digitally - we have to have our partner's approval.

Now, our partner in this case is a German distributor. A very well-organized company with excellent reputation and one major know-how: how to ship and sell retail boxes. They are fantastically good at that. And without their advance, we wouldn't be able to produce this title. But at the same time, they are also pretty protective, and they want to make sure that German version digitally is available at the same price as in retail. The retail price being Euro 34.99, i.e. a bit over $40.

Since GOG offers "one world, one price concept", we had two options. Or in fact, three:

a) not to offer TNotR on GOG at all; just sell through Steam, where we can set the German price to be 1:1 of German retail price, the Russian price to be 1:1 of Russian retail price, same for Czech Republic, Brazil, Poland, etc.

b) to offer TNotR on GOG for $40. thus making every country in the world pay the German (high) retail price for this product. And while in the retail edition, you have soundtrack, posters, etc. - a lot of goodies, it's a great box all in all, - in digital edition you'll have only the game and the soundtrack.

c) to offer TNotR on GOG for $20... on the condition that we don't break the contract because we're not selling German version at such price.

We reviewed all of these options, and decided that (c) is the option that will benefit the majority of all players. Not all, mind you - but the majority. Just like with Russians, BTW, where in retail the Russian version of the game is 299 RUR ($9.99), but they have to pay $19.99 on GOG, as there's simply no way around managing prices region by region.

This decision is not ideal.

But it's the best that we could do under the circumstances.

Just to be clear: we approached our German distribution partner and offered to "buy back" the German localization rights, so that we could offer German on GOG. But they were not interested. And so, considering alternatives exhausted, we listed the current version, at $19.99, with 7 languages - excluding German.

I'm not proud of this decision. In fact, this made me quite mad when I realized that this is the way we'll have to go forward. But then, without our German partner we wouldn't be able to fund the game, and if they don't want to let us offer German for under $40, then what can we do? Tell them to go to hell - after helping us make this game possible? Yes, we'll never ever (as long as I work for Daedalic) will sign again a contract with similar prohibition. And yet with The Night of the Rabbit, we had to play with the cards that we've been dealt.

One more thing: the game will be available on Steam in 2 editions, regular and premium. These will be multi-lingual, 8 languages. But even there, in Germany only Premium will be available, at Euro 29.99, based on the same demand: that we do not undercut the retail sales.

Are we proud of this? No. We believe in GOG's policy and we respect GOG's community. So yes, we deserve the criticism. But please also understand the reasons behind this suboptimal decision: without pre-sales to our distribution partner, we would not have made this game. And then it would be worse than this, really, because Matt Kempke's world would have remained on paper.

Please accept my and my colleagues's sincere apologies for this inconvenience and please be assured that it never was, and never will be, a part of our policy to discriminate any particular region or location - in fact, it's the opposite, and as you can see, TNotR the first-ever Daedalic title to ship in 8 languages at launch. We hope that as we get more successful sales-wise, we're able to offer even more (Italian, for example).

Hope this clears up the situation a bit.
Post edited May 13, 2013 by Vainamoinen
Just now gog´s weekend adventure promo sparked my interest in old school adventure games anew. While i have heard of Deadalic games before (especially Deponia) I havent played a single one of them yet. So seeing TNofR coming with Deponia as a preorder bonus was a pleasant surprise for me as I could have a chance to get into one series and have the preoder on another promising looking game.

I always enjoy media most the way the authors made it. Be it books, movies or games if I can experience it in language the authors intended it to be I will. I live in Germany. So naturally I want to play the game in its original language (because I can) which I assume is german.

Choosing to sell the german version separately for me feels like I dont get the full version. Kind of like DLC. Its there but somebody needs a new pair of shoes so you have to pay extra. I will not support this business strategy! I dont want developers and publishers to think they can pull that kind of crap!

I guess some more time will pass before I will play my first Deadalic game but TNotR will only ever be an option if the FULL game is available for me.
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modulo_p: Its there but somebody needs a new pair of shoes so you have to pay extra. I will not support this business strategy! I dont want developers and publishers to think they can pull that kind of crap!
Ugh, that's quite a bit of a simplification. All rondomedia (I believe it is rondomedia) wanted out of this cake - for financing the game, effectively - was to release a German retail version the sales of which are not undercut by Steam or gog.com. It's a muddied state the whole affair is in, but I don't believe greed was involved on either side of the contract. This is not as black in black as you make it look.

You live in Germany, you have the choice. 15 for gog or 30€ for a DVD (plus possibly physical extras), that's a difference only the Steamites would light the torches and get their pitchforks over. Other countries wanting to play the original German language without Steam chains would have to import the retail version, so you're actually in luck, you can make the decision yourself.

Daedalic has made a stand for DRM free, once more, and I highly respect that. If that's the reaction they're getting, well, let's just hope the 'mind blowing' releases of June are not ALL Pac Man.

The bad business decision here was probably to offer two versions on Steam. Steam's monopoly has fostered an attitude of entitlement among their clients who will consequently not be able to cope with this kind of choice. I hope the shit storm will flash by Daedalic here, because they really didn't earn this one.
Post edited May 13, 2013 by Vainamoinen
@Vainamoinen:
Thanks for posting the detailed explanation! I guess that's about the same thing that happened to The Whispered World and Chains of Satinav.

While it's quite a pity that I won't be able to get the original German versions via GOG, I'm glad about the possibility to get the retail versions. And hopefully all of you who ever got their hands on a boxed Daedalic game in the last few years can agree with me, that they exceed many other publisher's retail boxes in both quality and content.

@modulo_p:
I'd kinda see myself as a "completionist", too, who'd prefer to get a whole game including all of the contents the developers intended to add. So I'd be completely happy with the version I can buy in every store around here, because that's absolutely the game Daedalic had in mind all the time. It's the localisations that's changing the game and its authenticity. Would you refuse to buy the retail version, too?
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Maestra249: @Vainamoinen:
I guess that's about the same thing that happened to The Whispered World and Chains of Satinav.
I only have the gog/English version of Chains of Satinav, and only bought it on sale - which was my personal protest against selling a steamized retail version in Germany. Hopefully at least THOSE times are over.
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Vainamoinen: Ugh, that's quite a bit of a simplification. All rondomedia (I believe it is rondomedia) wanted out of this cake - for financing the game, effectively - was to release a German retail version the sales of which are not undercut by Steam or gog.com. It's a muddied state the whole affair is in, but I don't believe greed was involved on either side of the contract. This is not as black in black as you make it look.
They want to sell the game for a higher retail price in the market where these games sell the most; Germany. Its not "hey lets split up the profit" but rather "okay you can have the less profitable piece of the game while we take the one that we know will sell the most". How can you say greed is not involved?
I understand the situation Deadalic was in when they made the contract but it is one in which the customer suffers. Are you seriously want to support that? Maybe for you one language is not a big deal. Okay. But if this business strategy prevails languages will be the least of our problems.

Maybe people dont mind but I wanted to make my voice heard. Everybody can make their own decision about this but an apology does not make me buy an incomplete game.
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Maestra249: @modulo_p:
Would you refuse to buy the retail version, too?
Doesnt the retail version cost 40€? Thats 200% the price of the gog release just to play in the authentic language. Would you not?
Post edited May 13, 2013 by modulo_p
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modulo_p: They want to sell the game for a higher retail price in the market where these games sell the most; Germany. Its not "hey lets split up the profit" but rather "okay you can have the less profitable piece of the game while we take the one that we know will sell the most". How can you say greed is not involved?
The retail version is ONLY profitable in Germany, hence no retail version planned for other countries. That's a rather strong sign about greed not present, because not helpful anyway. Also, if a publisher can't publish, what exactly would he be good for?
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modulo_p: I understand the situation Deadalic was in when they made the contract but it is one in which the customer suffers. Are you seriously want to support that?
It is unwithspoken that the situation has drawbacks for the customer, yes. Yet firstly, I wanted to point out that the GERMAN customer bears little to none of these drawbacks (what with retail versions becoming increasingly rare), and secondly, I support Daedalic's progress towards becoming an actual 'indie' developer - and with it, the direction to get rid of the kind of publisher chains detailed above.
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modulo_p: Maybe for you one language is not a big deal. Okay. But if this business strategy prevails languages will be the least of our problems.
Buying the game DRM free, I'd say, might not remedy the situation overnight. But it will rather help than hinder, that much is certain.
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modulo_p: Doesnt the retail version cost 40€? Thats 200% the price of the gog release just to play in the authentic language. Would you not?
No. Recommended German retail price is 35,00 € ; at present, Amazon.de sells for 29,95 € and if you look really hard, it's quite possible that a few online re-sellers with limited quantities can go even slightly lower.
Post edited May 13, 2013 by Vainamoinen
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modulo_p: Doesnt the retail version cost 40€? Thats 200% the price of the gog release just to play in the authentic language. Would you not?
As cheesy as it may sound: I would pay the full price because I'm confident that the game is completely worth its price. And no, I don't have endless amounts of money to spend on computer games. But I'd definitely choose to save my money for awesome games made by developers whose motivation isn't getting rich by selling out their games, but creating amazing and fun stories.
So it seems german language isn't going to be added here. At least not in the near future, until that contract expires.
It's a pity.

I hoped german language would be added to "The Dark Eye" game too, but I think Vainamoinen's post answers the same question here.

Thanks for this explanatory post.
How ... nice ... for us German customers. Ok, I made my mind about the issue and I guess you can puzzle out what decision I made. Thanks for the info.
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Maestra249: @Vainamoinen:
Thanks for posting the detailed explanation! I guess that's about the same thing that happened to The Whispered World and Chains of Satinav.

While it's quite a pity that I won't be able to get the original German versions via GOG, I'm glad about the possibility to get the retail versions. And hopefully all of you who ever got their hands on a boxed Daedalic game in the last few years can agree with me, that they exceed many other publisher's retail boxes in both quality and content.
But this time I'm fed up with daedelic. They can pull their crap with other people in the future. It isn't about the price but the notion. My answer fits in two letters which represent two not so nice words. So, yeah: shitstorm. You knew you reap what you sow, daedelic.
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Maestra249: @modulo_p:
I'd kinda see myself as a "completionist", too, who'd prefer to get a whole game including all of the contents the developers intended to add. So I'd be completely happy with the version I can buy in every store around here, because that's absolutely the game Daedalic had in mind all the time. It's the localisations that's changing the game and its authenticity. Would you refuse to buy the retail version, too?
Absolutely, because I feel more than a bit cheated. As I wrote above: it isn't about the price tag itself, but for let me feel like an idiot which has to pay more like the rest of the world just to play the game in my native language. For this crap I'm passing the whole game and also daedelic as a producer. I'm not willing to pay a higher price just because of my native language. This is equality in terms of gender, ethnic and language to daedelic finance planing? So here are your two letters: FU.

EDIT: And also 5 times more the two letters for denying me to buy the game on gog in my native language even if I would pay more for their shity financing crap.
Post edited May 14, 2013 by wintermute.
Apperently, the publisher mentioned above by daedalic is Rondomedia.
What do you expect from someone who brought us such wonderful *gems* like "Die Polizei", "Baumaschinensimulator", "Schwebebahnsimulator" and dozen other "simulators" of obscure quality to know about online game distribution??? If it weren't for those uninformed impulse-driven buyers in retail stores rondomedia wouldn't be the company they are today. Just search youtube for videos of those games.

Hopefully when the final chapter of the Deponia Trilogie is released we won't get the same problem.
Would be a real shame. *sigh*

Next time Daedalic, read your damn contracts before signing them!
Post edited May 14, 2013 by Crazy_Borg
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Crazy_Borg: Next time Daedalic, read your damn contracts before signing them!
But the alternative option would have been not to make the game at all. You need many, many talented people to make those games real. Not only programmers and game designers, but also artists(!), musicians and other guys for the marketing and overall management. And you obviously have to pay them for their work.

The main problem is that Daedalic (and probably most of the game companies out there) don't exactly wallow in money. So it's either not doing it at all, because you just can't afford it or to sign those kind of contracts, where many rights are taken from you. As it was stated in the "official" explanation above, Daedalic isn't in any way happy about the current state.

Maybe they could've tried to look for another publisher, but they also could've easily lost valuable time and energy while still being unsuccessful. Maybe they could've tried crowdfunding, but they wouldn't get any guarantee that way either.

Sometimes you just have to swallow the bitter pill, if you really want something you are burning for to get real.
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Maestra249: But the alternative option would have been not to make the game at all.
Strange enough other developers get their funding without such idiotic measures.

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Maestra249: You need many, many talented people to make those games real. Not only programmers and game designers, but also artists(!), musicians and other guys for the marketing and overall management. And you obviously have to pay them for their work.
Is there some special reason to talk about the obvious or the exclamation mark after artists? I'm just asking ...


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Maestra249: The main problem is that Daedalic (and probably most of the game companies out there) don't exactly wallow in money. So it's either not doing it at all, because you just can't afford it or to sign those kind of contracts, where many rights are taken from you. As it was stated in the "official" explanation above, Daedalic isn't in any way happy about the current state.
1. Again you mention obvious facts we all know about but strangely other companies come up with better solutions. Kickstarter would have been only one of many ways to secure the funding and there is no law not to use many models of funding the same time.

2. Daedelic isn't happy because people are complaining now. They were absolutely fine with the terms, thats the reason they signed the contract. Contracts are something thats very usual in the business and you could assume they can read a contract. Repeat: They knew what they signed.

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Maestra249: Maybe they could've tried to look for another publisher, but they also could've easily lost valuable time and energy while still being unsuccessful. Maybe they could've tried crowdfunding, but they wouldn't get any guarantee that way either..
Oh? There was a deadline? Like? "When it isn't released till june 2013 the world will be drown in blood"?
Ok, I know what you mean, but I couldn't resist. Well, it was their decision and now they have to live with the result. It's exactly that plain and simple. Action and reaction.
Crowdfunding often works miracles, but there isn't a guarantee, but there also isn't a rule telling you you have to rely on crowdfunding alone.

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Maestra249: Sometimes you just have to swallow the bitter pill, if you really want something you are burning for to get real.
Yep. Bitter pill: Myself and others don't buy games from daedelic now and maybe in the future. A result that could be easily predicted. There are people that prefer the freedom of their choice like where to buy and in which language. The thing about the price tag is another issue which doesn't make me really mad, but something that tells me also more than words do ... :]